Australian pub baron Justin Hyams talks about his unstoppable rise and the Merivale hospitality empire
- Merivale CEO Justin Hemmes has transformed the family business into a $1 billion-plus hospitality company.
- The Sydney bar tycoon owns more than 100 venues, including glitzy establishments such as The Ivy and Coogee Pavilion.
- Hemmes’ lavish lifestyle includes mansions, private jets, luxury cars, and bold business expansions.
When it comes to revolutionizing Australia’s hospitality scene, there are few names that shine brighter than Justin Himes, Sydney’s ‘bar czar’. Just like Adrian Portelli, founder of LMCT+, and Lawrence Escalante, the visionary behind VGW who brought innovation to their fields, Hemis, as CEO of MerivaleHe has revolutionized Sydney’s dining and entertainment scene over three decades, building an empire of over 100 venues through his remarkable talent for anticipating and shaping consumer trends.
Mughal made
While the Hemis family name was already well established in Australian society, with the parents John With Merivale a leader in the country’s fashion scene since the 1950s, it was Justin’s bold vision that catapulted the family business from millions to billions. Hemis joined the family business in his mid-twenties, and showed an unusual appetite for calculated risks, taking on high-profile places such as (Beresford in Surry Hills). and Paddington Arms To advanced entertainment destinations.
Under the supervision of Himes, Merivale It has grown from a modest real estate and fashion retail company to Australia’s dominant hospitality company, valued at more than 1.3 billion Australian dollars. His uncanny ability to forecast and shape Sydney’s social scene, combined with his meticulous attention to detail, earned him a reputation as one of the country’s most successful businessmen.
Surviving the storm
Himes’ success was not without the scars he encountered along the way. In 2008, he launched his most ambitious project to date: Ivya A$180 million entertainment district in Sydney’s CBD. The massive development, which includes a nightclub, a rooftop pool bar, a private penthouse suite, event spaces and multiple restaurants, nearly proved its undoing when the global financial crisis hit…
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“It almost broke me. It almost wouldn’t have woken up, and I would have lost a lot of money.”
Justin Hemmes
But his determination and hands-on approach helped him weather the storm, and The Ivy is now one of Sydney’s most iconic venues, a testament to his perseverance.
Sydney’s Ultimate Playboy
Early in his career, Hemis was known for his flamboyant lifestyle. CNN once called him “Sydney’s ultimate playboy” and “fun bar mogul,” describing his penchant for dating supermodels, launching music festivals, and living life in the fast lane. His adventurous spirit often brought him all kinds of trouble, including dramatic ones A speedboat accident when he was 25 years old Which led to the injury of nine of his friends, and several racing accidents with his luxury cars that led to the loss of his driving license.
In response to his playboy image, Hemis said:
“What’s a playboy? Someone who has a lot of fun? Maybe I’m guilty of that, but I get much more pleasure from working and building and creating than from living a life of luxury.”
Justin Hemmes
True to his word, he managed to transform his reputation from playboy socialite to respected business leader as Merivale’s influence continued to grow.
Long live the empire
Today, the 52-year-old CEO is calling Hermitage The House: A prestigious harborfront mansion in Vaucluse that has been in the family for more than five decades. His extensive property portfolio includes five premium properties on the NSW south coast, headlined by the 60-hectare development Glasshouse Rocks propertyaffectionately nicknamed “The Farm” which he purchased for A$7.5 million in 2015.
His success is reflected in an enviable collection of luxury assets: a A$40 million Bombardier Challenger jet for European flights and a fleet of high-performance vehicles, including Lamborghinis, Bentleys and McLarens. True to his passionate nature, Hemmes doesn’t just collect cars; He races them—and maintains his thrill-seeking spirit despite occasional mishaps. As he says: “If you’re not having an accident, you’re not driving hard enough.”
Challenges and future vision
Despite Merivale’s success, challenges remain. The company has encountered Accusations of paying small amounts From former employees and recently reached a large settlement in the Federal Court of Australia. After five years of legal arguments and closed negotiations, Merivale agreed to pay 19 million Australian dollars To resolve the class action lawsuit. There has also been a more recent scandal Accusations of sexual misconduct In a number of its locations. The jury is out on this one, for now…
The company has also faced opposition to its ambitious expansion plans, including a controversial proposal to create a 24/7 entertainment and hotel district in the central business district. Angry local residents and business owners have formally complained to the City of Sydney, citing concerns about noise and disruption.
However, Hemis’ golden touch in the hospitality industry has not diminished. As Merivale expands into Melbourne and continues to evolve, the company faces the delicate challenge of maintaining its family-oriented culture while growing into new markets. However, given Hemis’ track record of turning bold visions into reality, few would bet against his ability to successfully overcome these challenges while continuing to reshape Australia’s hospitality landscape.
